Mid West To Produce Ireland's First Regional Climate Change Strategy

"In response to international concern about climate change and the Government's recent carbon budget, the Mid West Regional Authority has decided to produce a strategy designed to enhance the Mid West's energy, environmental and economic sustainability", stated Mr. Liam Conneally, Director of the MWRA

Mr. Conneally indicated that the 'Mid West Climate Change Strategy' had been developed as a working document ensuring the sustainability of the region's energy needs, while playing a substantial role in supporting the Government in achieving Ireland's Kyoto commitments.

He explained that the Mid West was well placed to exploit its substantial renewable energy resources of wind, wave, wood and energy crops.

"Much is already being done to establish the Mid West as a centre of excellence for the development and delivery of renewable energy technologies, and energy efficient buildings. The future development of this Region as a region of excellence and expertise in the energy area will bring opportunities for communities, entrepreneurs and third level graduates", added Mr. Conneally.

Guest speakers at the MWRA's annual conference will include Mr. George Burke, Principal Officer, Planning, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government - 'Proposed planning exemptions for renewable energy technologies'; Mr. Brian Crowley, Member of European Parliament - 'The European perspective on climate change and the role of renewable energy'; Mr. Pat Stephens, Limerick/Clare Energy Agency - 'Regional perspective on renewable energy'; and Mr. Gerry Sheeran, Senior Planner, Limerick County Council - 'Implementing renewable energy policy at local authority level'.

Commenting ahead of this week's Strategy launch, Limerick City Councillor Lilly Wallace, Cathaoirleach of the MWRA, stated, "The document recognises the considerable challenges posed by global climate change and Ireland's heavy dependency upon imported fossil fuels."

She continued, "In the Mid West every individual must do their part to reduce the Region's overall dependence on fossil fuels, as well as reducing CO2 emissions by 5 tonnes per person. The economic and environmental costs of doing nothing are far too great. Carbon costs alone for the Mid West are calculated to be EUR62.2 million by 2010, and EUR94.5 million by 2020."

The MWRA is one of the Republic of Ireland's eight statutory regions and comprises the administrative areas of Clare, North Tipperary Limerick County Councils, along with Limerick City Council.

The Nenagh-based Authority has twenty-six elected representatives and has responsibility to promote the coordinated delivery of Public Services in the Mid West Region. It is also Secretariat to the Government appointed Shannon Airport Marketing Consultative Committee (SAMCC).